Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

No specific pre-requisite and co-requisite.

Course Description

This unit focuses on the skills and knowledge required by education support workers to work with teachers to support students in pre-primary, primary and secondary to develop literacy skills, including oral language, reading and writing skills. It provides skills and knowledge to enable education support workers to work with the teacher to develop resources to reinforce literacy skills across the curriculum and to support students during various phases in the acquisition of literacy competence. On successful completion of this unit, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCEDS020 Support students' literacy learning

Element:

1. Encourage and model spoken language

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify and use a variety of styles of verbal communication
1.2 Demonstrate the different functions of language in interactions
1.3 Monitor students' understanding and use of language through observation, listening and conversation, and provide information to teachers to inform planning
1.4 Identify factors affecting language acquisition and discuss with the teacher/s
1.5 Use language appropriate to students' culture, age, abilities, interests and needs
1.6 Use spoken language to effectively interact with students
1.7 Talk explicitly about language to scaffold learning
1.8 Model language appropriate to the situation, the purpose and the audience for students

Element:

2. Support students to read and interpret texts

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Determine strategies for supporting students in the interpretation of texts in consultation with the teacher/s
2.2 Implement planned strategies to enhance the abilities of students and address their individual needs
2.3 Encourage students to problem-solve in order to make meaning from texts
2.4 Use explicit talk to focus students on specific literacy skills

Element:

3. Enhance students’ literacy skills through writing activities

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Use accurate terminology, as planned with teacher/s, to support students' learning
3.2 Implement strategies devised with teacher/s to develop students' skills in the use of written language
3.3 Use planned strategies to reinforce literacy skills across all key learning areas
3.4 Encourage students to improve spelling skills using strategies appropriate to students' developmental levels
3.5 Support students to plan their writing tasks
3.6 Encourage students to critically reflect on the effectiveness of their writing
3.7 Support students to effectively edit their writing

Element:

4. Design resources to support literacy development

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Plan learning environments and activities in advance with the teacher/s
4.2 Design resources, in consultation with teacher/s, to reinforce literacy skills, while fulfilling curriculum requirements
4.3 Design resources to suit the developmental level of the students, as determined by the teacher/s

Learning Outcomes

This unit develops the skills and knowledge required by education support workers to work with teachers to support students in pre-primary, primary and secondary to develop literacy skills, including oral language, reading and writing skills. It provides skills and knowledge to enable education support workers to work with the teacher to develop resources to reinforce literacy skills across the curriculum and to support students during various phases in the acquisition of literacy competence.

Details of Learning Activities

This unit is part of Certificate IV in Education Support program. You will study this unit with other units on the same day. Your program consists of face to face teaching, Unsupervised Directed Study and you are required to participate in compulsory work placement. It is strongly advised you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency. You are not required to attend to complete Unsupervised Directed Study, however you are expected to complete the work given and will at times be required to show evidence the work has been completed. Your Unsupervised Directed Study will be posted on Blackboard.

The student learning experience will be facilitated through participation in a range of activities:

Work placement

Group discussion

Research assignments

Guest speakers

Oral and/or written questions on "What if?" scenarios

Realistic simulations and role play

Practical demonstrations and direct observation of actual work and simulated work practice

Oral presentations

Individual and group projects - Completing the projects will include negotiated independent study time and practical work relevant to the unit of competency.

Teaching Schedule

This unit will be delivered weekly. Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources. Should the teaching schedule change students will be advised via blackboard. Library Orientation & an RMIT Online Systems Information Session will be scheduled during the first two weeks of your program. Information about student services, rights and responsibilities is contained in your student diary.

Teaching Schedule

Week 1

Course outline and expectations in and out of classroom.

Discussion of work placement role in unit.

Assessment tasks explained, journal requirements- A4 plastic folder.

Engaging students in reading

E1, E2

Week 2

Brainstorm and discussion of differences between roles and responsibilities of teachers and education support workers.

Discussion of role and scaffolding activities ESWs may experience at placement.

E1, E2

Week 3

Definition of texts and range of texts that students need to interpret in class.

Reading history of students, and reading expectations in Australian education.

There are no set texts in this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through handouts, our online systems and access to facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources. It is recommended that you bring:

This unit is part of an integrated program. You must demonstrate Performance and Knowledge Evidence of the unit in order to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by: • Oral or written questioning • oral presentations • Assignments and projects • Direct observation of actual work practice • Presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files • Work-based activities • Third-party feedback from a work supervisor/employer Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

All Assessment tasks should be submitted by the due date. If an extension is required please contact your teacher and/or Coordinator before the due date. You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. All assessment tasks including electronically recorded student work will be kept by the University for student feedback and to meet government requirements. Resubmissions: If you are found to be Not Yet Competent in a Course Assessment Task you may be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is 'CA'

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency and with the critical aspects of assessment for each unit.

Other Information

Attendance - The major learning experience involves participating in face to face classes. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency. Feedback - Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Students may be asked to attend interviews with relevant teachers and Program Coordinator to discuss academic progress. Assessment Academic Progress www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academicprogress Special Consideration - All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Please see the RMIT website for further information. www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy. www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity